Railway traffic controlling apparatus



June 1, 1937. c. s. SNAVELY 2,082,428

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 82 INVENTOR,

[zflisnavelr aka-W June 1, 1937.

C. S. SNAVELY RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 16, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Station C Station Z) A D .4

Station B Patented June 1, I937 PATENT OFFICE RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS Clarence S. Snavely, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa... a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 16,

56 Claims.

My invention relates to railway trafiic controlling apparatus, and particularly to apparatus adapted for use in a centralized traffic control system for controlling traffic governing devices, such as railway switches and signals, from a remote point. In systems of the type described, it iscustomary to provide apparatus at a central control point, such for example, as a train dispatchers oilice for transmitting control codes over line'wires for controlling governing devices which may be located at a considerable distance fromthe dispatchers office. The operation ofthe governing device in response to the control or in response to trafiic conditions is then effec- 5 tive to send an indication code back to the dispatchers office. I

I -will describe one formof apparatus embodying my invention, and will then point out the novel features thereof in claims. In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1 and 1*, when placed end to end with Fig. 1 on the left, constitute a view showing one form of railway trafiic controlling apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing a p'ortion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1- n) and also embodying my invention. Fig. 3 1s a view-showing in vertical elevation, one of the coding units included in the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 1 and also embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a, diagrammatic view illustrating a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 1 the former illustrates the apparatus located at a central control point, such as a dispatchers off ce and designated station A. This apparatus comprises a coding device designated by the reference character A and controlled by a plurality of manually operable keys K in a manner to be described hereinafter. The coding device A controls a plurality of groups of traflic governing devices located at different stations, such as B, C and D, illustrated in Fig. 1 Located at each of these stations is a coding device similar to device A and each designated by the reference character A with an exponent corresponding to the station. The several coding devices A and the devices associated therewith, are connected with a pair of line wires 66 and 66*, by means of which the control and indication codes are sent between the dispatchers ofiice at station A and theremaining stations.

Referring particularly to thecoding device A thisfdevice comprises a motor M, having an 1928, Serial No. 254,684

armature 2| and a field 22, which motor operates multiple code transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of code wheels. In the form here shown the armature 2| of the motor is operatively connected with a gear 26 through a worm 23, a worm wheel 24, and a pinion 25. As best shown in Fig. 2, the gear 26 is fastened to a shaft 21 which is journalled in suitable bearings not shown in the drawings. The shaft 21 in turn carries a plurality of code wheels each designated by the reference character D with a distinguishing exponent and each made up of a disk- 28 provided at its periphery with different combinations of teeth and solidly pinned to a cam 29. These teeth are shown at D in Fig. i but are omitted from the other code wheel for simplicity. Each code wheel D is normally coupled with the shaft by means of a friction clutch made up of two flanges 30 and 32 pressed against opposite sides of the code wheel by helical springs '35. It will be noted that flange 3|] on one side of each code wheel is solidly pinned to the shaft 31 but that the flange 32 on the opposite side of the code wheel is provided with a slot 34 which receives a pin 33 passing through the shaft. With this arrangement, the springs 35 permit a yielding frictional engagement between each code wheel and the associated flanges 3D and 32, so that when gear 26 is rotated in response. to operation of the motor M (Fig. 1*) each code wheel D would be rotated if it were not latched in position by the apparatus which I will now describe. The cam 29 of each code wheel D is controlled by apparatus similar to that shown in Fig. 3. In this view the reference character 11 designates a delivery magnet which is provided with an armature 49 carrying a plunger 4| which operates a pivoted latch 42. The plunger 4| is normally urged to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, by a contact spring 46 which bears against the left-hand end of the plunger, and the latch 42 is also urged to the right, so that a dog 42 on the latch enters a notch 39 in the corresponding cam 29 and preventsthe rotation of the code wheel including such cam. When the delivery magnet d becomes energized, the armature 40 and the plunger 4| are moved to the left, thereby withdrawing the dog 42? from the notch 39 of the cam 29 and permitting the code wheel to be rotated if the motor M is operated. It should be pointed out that when the delivery magnet d becomes energized, the contact 46-48 is closed. and the contact 41-48 is open. In accordance with the usual nomenclature applied to r contact 46-48 a front contact, and I shall term elays, I will term the with each delivery magnet 11 is a storing magnet 1 having an armature 43 carried by a plunger 64 which is normally biased to the right by the spring contacts 50 and 52. When the storing magnet is energized, the armature 43 is moved to its left-hand end or attracted position, thereby closing front contacts 5El5l and 52-53 and opening back contact 4Q59.- When the armature 43 is in this position a latch d5 drops into a position in which the armature is mechanically held in its attracted position. After the storing magnet has once been energized, therefore, it is mechanically latched, and holds its front contacts closed until the latch 55 is mechanically disengaged. For the purpose of disengaging the latch 45, the latch 42 operated by the delivery magnet d is provided with an extended tip 42' which is arranged to engage an inclined surface of the latch 45, in such manner that when the delivery magnet d is energized, the tip 42* of latch 42 lifts latch d5 out of engagement with latch 43 of the storing magnet r. It should be observed, however, that when the latch 42 is in the position corresponding to the energized condition of the delivery magnet d, the plunger 44 of the storing magnet r is held in its left-hand position by direct engagement of the latch with the right-hand end of plunger i t, so that the front contacts of the storing magnet are held closed, even though the latch 5 is released, and even though the storing magnet may be electrically de-energized. It should also be pointed-out that after the latch 42 has once been operated to withdraw the dog 42 from the notch 39 and the motor has rotated the cam 29 away from registration with this dog, the engagement of the dog with the edge of the cam will prevent the return of the latch 42 to its normal position. After the cam has once been released, therefore, to permit operation of the associated code wheel, the latch 42 is mechanically held in a position in which the front contacts of both the delivery magnet and the storing magnet are closed, until the code wheel has made a complete revolution to permit the dog 42 to again enter the notch 39 in the cam 29.

Each of the code wheels is controlled by a storing or starting magnet and a delivery or sending magnet, similar to those shown in Fig. 3 and each code wheel with its associated magnets and contacts may be referred to collectively as a storing unit, there being as many codingunits in each of the coding devices A as are required to send out-the necessary number of control or indication codes. In the form of apparatus illustrated in the drawings, each of the coding devices A is presumed to have eight coding units, each designated by the reference character G with a distinguishing exponent. In addition, each of the devices A comprises a check unit G" similar to the coding units already described except that the code wheel D carries in addition to the disk 28 and the cam 29, a second disk 37 which will be described in detail hereinafter. The toothed disk 28 of each code wheel controls a contact 3'6 which is normally closed but which is arranged to be opened periodically in accordance with the arrangement of teeth on the disk as the code wheel operates.

Each of the coding devices A comprises also a motor relay m and a trip relay designated by the reference character t. The motor relay m and the trip relay i may, for convenience of manufacture, be constructed in a manner similar to the storing and delivery magnets of the coding units G with the single exception that the motor and trip relays are made somewhat slow releasing.

Associated with each of the coding devices A is a code repeater relay, designated by the reference character E with an exponent corresponding to the location, and normally connected with the line wires 66 and 66 Referring particularly to relay E the circuit for this relay, under normal conditions, passes from line wire 66, through wires 6! and 68, winding of relay E condenser 69, wires ill and II, back contact til-62 of motor relay m, and wires 12 and 73, to line wire 66 The relay E is responsive to reversals in the polarity of the current supplied thereto, and when relay m is de-energized to close the circuit just traced, the relay l? responds to code impulses supplied to line wires 66 and 66 As will be described in detail hereinafter, the line wires 66 and 66 are at times supplied with different codes made up of different combinations of impulses of direct current of alternately reversed polarity. The relays E under ordinary conditions are energized in the normal direction so that their contacts are swung to the left and the relays are constructed in accordance with the usual practice in such manner that the polar contacts of the relay remain in the position to whichthey were last moved until they are positively moved to another position. Associated with the relay E is a slow releasing relay F which is arranged to be energized when relay E is energized in the reverse direction. The current for this relay is supplied from a battery L through wire 14, reverse contact 75-l5 of relay E wire 16, winding of relay F and wire Tl back to battery L fore energized when contact 'l5l5 is closed. When the motor relay m-is de-energized and when a code is being supplied by relay E the relay E is energized alternately in opposite directions, and under these conditions the relay IF is intermittently energized. Due to the slow releasing characteristics of the relay F the back contacts of this relay remain open continuously as long as the code repeater relay E is receiving a code from the line wires.

Associated also with each coding device A is a polechanger relay designated by the reference character H with a distinguishing exponent. The control of the pole-changer relays will be described hereinafter. The code repeater relay E, slcw releasing relay F, and pole-changer relay H associated with each coding device A control a group of selectors each designated by the reference character S with a suitable exponent and each selectively responsive to a predetermined code to close a contact on the selector for a brief interval of time. The exponent of the reference character for each selector corresponds to the exponent of the coding unit which delivers a code to which such selector will respond. For example, the selectors S to S located at station B are responsive to the codes delivered by coding units G to G of coding device A In similar manner the selectors S to S located at station A are responsive respectively to the codes deliv' ered by corresponding coding units in the coding device A located at station B. In order to simplify the disclosure the coding units of the coding device A have been omitted from each device except at station A.

The device A is controlled by a plurality of manually operable keys each designated by the reference character K with a suitable exponent. In explainingtheoperation of the apparatus located at station A, I will first assume that with Relay F is thereaoea aez flows over a starting circuit whichmaybe traced from'terminal B of asource of energy not shown. inthe drawings, wire. 80, terminal II of device AA, wire BI, winding of storing magnet r of coding unit 'Gl, wires 82 and83', back contact 58'-60 of the. :trip'relayv t, wire. 84,-terminal 9|, and wire'851'toterminal C.

of -the'same source; ceThes' storing magnet 1' of coding unit- G therefore becomes energized and latch 45 thereafter holds the' armatu're of this magnet in its attracted position. Theoperatormay then release key K1, and theilatch 45 of coding unit G will hold its front contacts closed. The operator may theniclose another one orones of =the1keys .Kto pickup the storingmagnets of other coding units G, the circuits for each of the remaining storing magnets being similar to that just traced for'thestoring'-magnetfor coding unit1Gl. 1' 1- I i Y When any one or more of the storing magnets of the device A has itsfront contacts closed, motor relay '11:. becomes energized. Continuing under the assumption that the storing magnet of coding. unit G is energized and latched in its energized I position, current from battery L flows through wire 14, normal contact 15-15 of code repeater'relay E wire 86, back contact 81 of relayFkwires 88 and 89, contact 3B controlled by ch'eck unit D, wire 90, winding of motor relay m=, wires 9|, 92 and 93, front contact 53 -52 of storing magnet r of coding unit G wire 94, terminal-9i, and wire 95 back to battery L It will be plain that the circuit for the motorrelay m includes a normal contact of relay E and a back contact of relayF Z" The motor relay canriottherefore'be picked up if relay E is occupy ing its reverse position'nor' if this relay is receiving-a code from the line wires '66 and 65 The energizing of the motor relay m. performs a number'of functions. closing of front contact 64 ofthe motorrelay completes a circuit "for thepole-changer relay H current flowing from battery L ov'er wire i08 winding of relay H wires I09-and I I0, thence through the contacts 36 of all of the coding units G to G inseries, wire I l'lg'f ront contact 64 of 5.0.

relay m, wires 92 and 93, front contact 52 --53 of' storing magnet r in coding unit G wire 94, terminal M, and wire all of "the coding units are at rest, therefore, the pole-changer relay H is energized when the motor rel'ay' becomes energized. When this occurs, front contact II 3 of relay H becomes closed, and current from battery g then flows'through wire- II 2, front c'ontact- I I3 of relay H wires H4 and H5, contact 62-53 of motor relay'm,"wires I2 and l3 to line wire 66 and from line wire 66, through wires'fil and .I I 5, back contact II1 of relay F and condenser H8 back to an intermediate point of battery y It will be seen that when relay H becomes energized, an impulse of currentf'is applied to the line wires 66 and 66*- from battery 9 The parts are so arranged that the polarity of this impulse is such as toenergize the code repeater relays E located at all other stations in'their reverse directions. But the reversal of code-repeater relay E would de-energize motor relaym and would therefore lock up the associated coding device A and it is therefore undesirable to reverse relay E It will be noted that when the ,-motorrelay m is energized, contact 62-6I is openand relay E is then disthrough wires18 and I9, key K In the first place the- 95 back to battery L If connected from the'line wires. The locking impulse delivered to the line wire by energization of relayl-I therefore does not reverserelay E and-thelocking .impulse serves only to lock up the other stations. connected with the line wires. ;A second result of the energization of the motor.

relay mg is that the'motor M is set into operation, currentflowing wire 91, terminal 98, motor'relay m,-wires I00, H9 and IZI, armature 2I of motor M, wires I20, I01 and 94, terminal 9|, andwire 95 back to battery L The circuit just traced is provided with a branch from ,wire H9, through field 22 of motor 'M, wire I22, resistance I23, wires I01 and 94, terminal M, and Wire '95 back to battery L It will be manifest, therefore, that when the motor relay 'm becomes: energized, a circuit'is closed over which. current is supplied from battery L to the field M. The motor therefore commences to operate, and through the worm.

already described, drives the 'codef friction. clutches illus--.

and armature of motor and gearing wheels shaft 2l-and the trated in detail in Fig. 2.

- The motor M is provided with a centrifuge designated in general by the reference character it and comprising a contact open but is arranged to be closed when the speed of. the motor exceeds a predetermined value. When'the contact 51 closes a shunt path is cornpleted around resistance I23 which path may be traced from the: left-hand terminal of resistance I-23, through'wire I06, contact 51, and wire I24 back to the right-hand terminal of resistance I23. When the contact 51 is closed, therefore, the resistance I23 is shunted out of the field circuit for the motoryM and the speed .of the motor is consequently reduced. When the. motor speed has been sufiiciently reduced to open the contact 5'I,-the resistance 123 is again introduced into the motor fieldcircuit. With thisarrangement the speed of the motor is held substantially constant sothat :the'speed of rotation of the code' wheels operated by the motoryand hence the timing of the codes delivered by the code Wheels, is the same for-.each of the coding devices A under all conditions.

Still another function is performed by the en-' ergization of motor relay m. It will be observed that the'centrifuge it controls a contact finger 54 which engages a contact 55 when the motor is at rest but which swings into engagement-with a second contact 56 as soon as the motor commences to operate. When the motor relay is first energized, and before the motor M has gathered sufficient speed to open contact 54-55, acircuit is closed from battery L through wire 91, terminal 98,- wire 99, front contact 65 of motor relay m, wires I00, IIII, I02, I03, and I04, winding of storing magnet'r of the check unit.G, wire I05, contact 54-55 operated by the centrifuge h,

, wires I06, II and 94, terminal SI, and wire 95 back to battery L .The circuit just traced is closedonly for a brief interval and is interrupted as soonas the motor commences to operate. During the brief interval that the circuit is closed, however, the storing'magnet of the check unit G is-picked up ,to close its front contacts and the magnet is subsequently maintained in its energized condition by latch 45. r

The next step in the operation of the coding device A is the closing of contact 54-56 operated by the centrifuge h. When this happens, a circuit is closed from battery L through wire 91, terminal .98, wire.99, front contact 65 of motor from battery L through wire 99; front'contact 55 of,

51 which is normally relay m, wires I and I M back contact 41-48 of the delivery magnet d of the check unit G", wire I28, back contact 41-48 of the coding unit G and thence successively through the back contacts of each of the remaining coding units G to G in series, then through wire I2I, winding of the trip relay t, wire I28, contact 54-56 operated bythe centrifuge h, wires I06, I01 and 94, terminal 9| and wire 95 back to battery L It will be plain that the circuit just traced can be closed only when all of the delivery magnets of the coding units G and of the check unit G are de-energized. If this condition prevails, and if the motor relay is energized, and if the motor is actually operating to close contact 54-56, the trip relay becomes energized, thereby closing front contact 58-59 and completing a circuit for the delivery magnet d of the check unit G. The circuit for this magnet may be traced from battery L through wire 91, terminal 98, wire 99, front contact 65 of motor relay m, wires I00, IOI, I02, and I03, front contact 50-5l of the storing magnet r of the check unit G wires I29 and I30, winding of the delivery magnet d of the check unit G wires I3I and I32, front contact 59-58 of the trip relay t, wire 84, terminal 9!, and wire 95 back to battery L As soon as the delivery magnet cl of check unit G is energized, the latch 42 is withdrawn from the cam 29, thereby permitting the rotation of the code wheel D since the motor M is now being operated as has already been described. It will be remembered that the circuit for the trip relay includes a back contact of each of the delivery magnets 11 and it follows that as soon as the delivery magnet of the check unit G becomes. energized, the circuit for the trip relay is opened, so that this relay again becomes tie-energized. Due tothe slow releasing characteristics of the trip relay, a brief interval of time elapses after the opening of the back contact 47-48 of delivery magnet 11 in the check unit G", and before the opening of the front contact 58-59 of the trip relay t. During this interval of time, the delivery magnet 11 of the check unit G becomes completely energized, thereby releasing the cam 29, and permitting the movement of the code Wheel D to commence. After the dog on the latch 42 has once been removed from the notch in the cam 29, the latch is positively held in a position in which the front contacts of the delivery magnet are closed. But when the latch 42 is in this position, the storing magnet latch 45 is released and since the circuit for the delivery magnet d includes a front contact of the storing magnet it is desirable to provide a stick circuit for the delivery magnet to prevent its tripping the storing magnet and thereby de-energizing the delivery magnet and allowing the latch 42 to re-engage the notch in the cam 29 before the code wheel has had time to move the cam notch out of registration with the dog on the latch 42. This stick circuit comprises a branch in the circuit for magnet d, and may be traced from wire IOI, through front contact 48-46 of the delivery magnet d to wire I30. It follows as soon as the delivery magnet becomes energized the closing of contact 46-48 completes a shunt around the front contact 50-5I of the associated storing magnet r and prevents the tripping of the storing magnet from in turn tripping the delivery magnet.

It will be noted that the code Wheel D" comprises a cam 31 which operates a contact 38 in such manner that the contact is closed when the coding unit is locked up in its normal condition latched-up position, the contact but is arranged to open the contact after the rotation of the 'code wheel commences and to subsequently close the contact for a brief interval at an intermediate point in the travel of the code wheel. It will also be observed that the contact 38 is included in the circuit for the motor relay. After the code wheel D has commenced to operate, therefore, the contact 38 opens, deenergizing the motor relay m, and thereby connecting the code repeater relay E with the line wires 68 and 86 This operation is equivalent to listening in on the line to ascertain if any other station is delivering a code to the line wires, since if a code were being supplied to the line wires when the relay E is connected with these wires, the resulting operation of relay E would energize the slow releasing relay F and would prevent the subsequent energization of relay m to continue the operation of the motor M. Of course, while contact 38 is open, during operation of the check unit G", the circuit originally traced for motor M is open because motor relay m is de-energized, but as long as the storing magnet r of the check unit G is held in its energized position a shunt is closed around the front contact 65 of the motor relay m which normally controls the motor M; By virtue of this shunt circuit, current flows from battery L through wire 97, terminal 98, wire 125, front contact 53-52 of storing magnet 1- of check unit G, wires I02, IOI, and H9 to the armature and field of motor M, thence returning to the negative terminal of batteryL over the same circuit as was originally traced for the motor. The motor therefore continues to operate to drive the code wheel D even though the motor relay m is de-energized by the opening of contact 38.

When the second swell 31 of cam 31, engages the contact 38, the motor relay is again energized for a brief interval and during this interval, the code repeater relay E is, of course, disconnected from the line wires 68 and 663. As soon as the swell has passed, the contact 38 again opens to deenergize motor relay m. Whenthe code wheel D has made one complete revolution, the latch 42 drops into the notch in the cam 29 and prevents further operation of the codewheel D". This operation of the latch 42 also releases the storing magnet 7 since the circuit for this magnetis open at contact 54-55 operated by the centrifuge h. When the code wheel D is in its 38 is closed so that under these conditions, the motor relay m is energized and the motor M continues to operate although the opening of contact 52-53 of magnet r of check unit D broke the branch for the motor operating circuit. Before proceeding further, it should be pointed out that the check unit G operates only at the beginning of the cycle of operation of the coding device A After the motor M has once been set into operation, so that contact 54-55 is open, the apparatus continues to function so that the coding units which have their storing magnets energized, will deliver their codes to the line wires in a predetermined order, as willbe described presently, without any further interference by the check unit G. That is to say, after the check unit has once been set into opera tion to listen in and insure that the line is clear for the transmission of codes from the corresponding coding device, the check unit cannot be set into operation until the motor M has been stopped and again set into operation.

After the check unit has completed its operation, the trip relay again becomes energized over 36 operated by the circuit which was previously traced for this relay and including a back contact oneach of the delivery magnets. As soon as the trip relay closes its front contacts, a circuit is completed for the delivery magnet d of a selected one of the coding units G. The selection between the coding units is made in a predetermined order which corresponds with the exponents used in connection with the coding units on the drawings, and only those coding units are actuated which have their storing magnets energized. In accordance with the foregoingexplanation, I will consider that the storing magnet for coding unit G is energized. Since this coding unit is the first in order to deliver its code, the energization of the trip relay following the operation of the check unit G", energizes the delivery magnet for coding unit G The circuit for this delivery magnet passes from battery L through wire 91, terminal 98, wire 99, front contact 65 of motor relay m, wires I00, IIII, H12 and I83, back contact 50-49 of storing magnet r of check unit G, wire I33, front contact 5lI--5I of storing magnet r of coding unit G wires I34 and I35, winding of delivery magnet d of coding unit G wires I36 and I32, front contact 58-59 of trip relay t, wire 84, terminal 9 I, and wire 95 back to battery L The delivery magnet of unit G therefore becomes energized to release the latch 42 and set the code wheel D into operation. The operation of latch 42 releases the latch 45 for the storing magnet T but holds the armature of the storing magnet in its attracted position so that the front contacts of the storing magnet remain closed. Furthermore, the energization of the delivery magnet D opens the circuit for the trip relay t which thereupon becomes de-energized. At the same time, however, the closing of contact 46-48 of the delivery magnet completes a stick circuit for the magnet similar to the stick circuit already described in connection with the delivery magnet of check unit D It follows therefore, that the code wheel D is now coupled with the shaft driven by the motor M and makes a complete revolution before it is again locked up by the latch 42. During this rotation of the code wheel D the contact the code wheel is alternately opened and closed in accordance with the code represented by the arrangement of teeth on the disk 28. But each time the contact opens, the circuit for pole-changer relay H becomes opened, and the relaydrops. The relay I-I therefore closes its front and back contacts alternately, to reproduce the code originated by the operation of the contact 38 on the code wheel D But the midpoint of battery g is connected through condenser I I8, back contact I I1 of relay F and wires I I6 and 61, with line wire 66, and each time that relay H becomes energized, the upper terminal of battery g is connected with line wire 66 through wire IIZ, front contact II3 of relay H wires H4 and H5, front contact 62--63 of motor relay m, and wires 12 and 13. Furthermore, each time back contact II3 of relay H is closed, the lower terminal of battery g is connected with wire H4, and hence with line wire I56 over back contact I I3 of relay H It follows therefore that the intermittent operation of relay H applies across the line wires 66 and I56 a periodically reversed electromotive force which is effective to actuate the code repeater relays E at the remaining stations connected with the line wires. When the operation of the code wheel D is completed, the latch l2 locks up the code wheel and thereby closes back contact 41-48. If any of the remaining coding units have their storing magnets energized, these coding units deliver their codes to the line wires before the motor stops and before another station can'take command of the line to deliver its'codes to the line wires. For example, if the storing magnets of coding units G and G5 were energized-when coding unit G completed its operation, the trip relay t would again become energized to pick up the delivery magnet for relay G and after this coding unit had completed its operation, coding unit G would deliver. its code to the line wires.

After the last coding unit which has its storing magnet energized has delivered its code to the line wires, the opening of the front contact 52--53 of the corresponding storing magnet interrupts the circuit for the motor relay m and pole-changing relay H Due'to the motor relay m being slightly slow-acting and relay I-I being a quickacting code repeater, relay H drops first, thereby delivering to the line an impulse of opposite polarity from that originally impressed for looking up the other stations. This impulse energizes all repeater relays E at the other stations. When motor relay m drops the front contacts, thereby de-energizing the motor M and allowing the apparatus to come to rest and restoring all the parts to the conditions in which they are illustrated in the drawings. With the motor relay m de-energized, relay E is. again connected with the line wires 66 and 66 The apparatus located at station A is then effective to receive codes from other stations.

As hasalready been explained, the codes supplied to the line wires 66 and 66 by the coding device A operate the code repeater relays E for each of the remaining stations. Referring particularly, to station B, the control codes received from the coding device A as described hereinbefore, operate the code repeater relay E to swing its polar contacts alternately to the right and left. As a resultof this operation of relay E the slow releasing relay F is held in its energized position so that battery g isdisconnected from the'line wire 66 at back contact II! of relay F Each time contact I39 of relay E swings to the left, an impulse of current flows from the lower terminal of battery g through wire I38, normal contact I39-I39 of relay E to wire I48, and thence through the windings of a plurality of selectors S in parallel, returning through wire I31 to the mid-point of battery g On the other hand, when relay E is energized in the opposite direction, current flows from the up,- per terminal of battery g through wire I II, reverse contact I39--I39 of relay E wire I48, through the windings of selectors S, and backto battery g through wire. I31. It will therefore be plain that when relay E is receiving a code, the selectors S are each supplied with periodically reversed current from battery g in accordance with the particular code which is being received. For purposes of explanation, I will assume that the selector S closes its contact when it receives the control code which is delivered to the line wires by coding unit G of coding device A In similar manner, the selectors S S S and S are selectively responsive to the codes delivered by codign units G G G and G of the coding device A The selectors S to S may be used to control traffic governing devices in any suitable manner. In the particular embodiment of my invention shown in the drawings, the selectors S located at Station 13 are associated with a stretch of railway motor relay opens its I6, he may do so by closing the key K track, the rails of which are designated by the reference characters I5 and I5 This stretch of track is provided with a railway switch I6 of the usual form communicating with a siding I1. The rails of the stretch including the switch It are divided by means of insulated joints t form a track section I8I9 provided with a track battery20 and a track relay R in accordance with the usual practice.

The switch I6 is actuated by a power-operated switch machine having a motor Q comprising an armature I50 and a field I5I. This motor is controlled by a two position switch relay J comprising two windings I43 and I44, by means of which the armatures I53 and I48 are swung to one extreme position or the other in accordance with which of the relay windings is energized. The relay is so constructed that the armatures occupy the positions to which they were last moved until the relay is positively reversed. Associated with the switch are a plurality of contacts which are controlled in accordance with the position 00- cupied by the switch. For example, the contact I51 is closed when the switch occupies either extreme position. Contact I58-I58 is closed only when the switch occupies its normal position, in which it is illustrated in the drawings, and contact I58I 58 is closed only when the switch occupies its reverse position. Furthermore, the contact I55I55 is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its reverse position, and contact I55I55 is closed at all times except when the switch occupies its normal position.

Eastbound trafiic over the switch I6 is controlled by a signal T and westbound trailic over the switch I6 is controlled by two signals T and T associated with the main line and with the sidings, respectively. Associated with each of the signals T is a circuit controller designated by the reference character k with a distinguishing exponent and comprises a contact finger I81 adapted to engage a fixed contact I88 just before the signal moves into its stop position and to engage a second contact I89 just before the signal moves into its proceed position.

As shown in the drawings, the signals T all indicate stop, and switch I 6 occupies its normal position. Furthermore, relay R is energized, and the relay J is closed in the normal direction, its polar armatures being swung to the left. If the operator at station A wishes to reverse the switch The coding unit G will then be set into operation as explained hereinbefore, and after the operation of the check unit G and after the successive operation of any of the coding units G G G or G which may happen to have their storing magnets energized, a control code will be delivered by the coding unit G to the line wires 66 and 66*. This control code will be repeated by relay E and will close the contact of selector S for a brief interval. When the contact of selector S closes, current flows from terminal B over the contact of selector S wire I 42, and winding I 43 of relay J to terminal C. The armatures of relay J are therefore swung to their right-hand or reverse positions, and current then flows from terminal B, over front contact I45 of track relay R, wires I46 and I41, armature MB of relay J wire I49, armature I50 of motor Q wire I52, armature I53 of relay J wire I54, contact I55I55 operated by switch I6, wire I56 and field I5I of motor Q to terminal C. When this circuit is closed, the motor Q is operated to drive the switch It toward its reverse position. The contact of the selector S is selector S at station E.

closed for only a brief interval and then re-opens, since all of the selectors return to their original positions after the expiration of each control code, but the contacts of relay J remain in the position to which they have been operated so that the circuitfor motor Q is closed until the operation of the switch is completed. When the switch attains its full reverse position, contact I55-I55 opens, thereby discontinuing the supply of energy to the motor Q In similar manner, if the operator at station A wishes to restore the switch to its original position, he may do so by closing key K thereby causing the coding unit G to deliver to the line wires a control code which closes the contact of When this happens, the winding I44 of relay J B is energized to restore the armatures I 53 and I48 of relay J to their lefthand positions. A circuit is then closed for motor Q from terminal B, over front contact I45 of relay R, wires I46 and I16, armature I53 of relay J wire I52, armature I50 of motor Q wire I49, armature I48 of relay J wire I11, contact I55- I55 operated by switch I6, wire I56, and field I5I of motor Q to terminal C. closed, the motor Q is operated to restore the switch to its normal position whereupon contact I 55-I55 opens to interrupt the motor circuit. In either case, since relay J is held in its last operated position, contact I55 I55 or I55"-I55 closes again in the event the switch becomes displaced for any reason, whereupon the motor will be re-energized to restore the track switch to its last-operated position.

The signals T T and 'I are controlled by s'electors S S and S which are in turn responsive to the codes delivered by coding units G G and G respectively at station A. Thus, when selector S is closed, a circuit is closed for a brief interval from terminal B, through the contact of selector S wires I59 and I60, winding of relay f to terminal When this relay becomes energized, a stick circuit is closed from terminal B, over back contact I5I of relay 7, wire I62, front contact I 63 of relay 7, wires I64 and I60, winding of relay 1 to terminal C. It follows that after relay has once been energized by the momentary closing of selector S the relay is subsequently maintained in its energized condition as long as relay 9' is de-energized. When contact I65 of relay f closes, current flows from terminal B, through front contact I65 of relay f, wire I66, operating mechanism of signal T and contact I51 to terminal C. When relay f is energized and when the switch It occupies either extreme position, signal T is cleared.

If the operator wished to clear one of the signals T or T governing westbound traihc, he sets the coding unit G into operation, thereby closing the contact of selector S for a brief interval during which current fiows from battery B, through the contact of selector S wires I68 and I69, and winding of relay 6 to terminal C. The relay e is therefore closed and is subsequently maintained in its energized condition by a stick circuit similar to the stick circuit for relay 1 and including back contact I SI of relay 7 and front contact I 7| of relay c. When relay e is energized, current flows from terminal B over front contact I 12 of relay e and wire I73 to contact If the switch It occupies its normal position, the contact I58 engages contact I58 and current. then flows over wire I15 through the operating mechanism of signalT to terminal C. If the switch I6 is normal when relay 6 is energized, signal T is I53 operated by switch I6.

'R, wire I80, front contact I8I wire I82 to terminal ID of thecoding device A assigns therefore cleared. If, however, the switch I6 is reversed, the energization of relay e completes a 'into operation the coding unit G thereby closing thecontact of selector S and picking up relay 7'. Relay 7' immediately opens again when selector S opens, but during the brief interval that the back contact I6 I of relay 7' has been open, the stick circuit for relay e or relay 1 is opened, and the signal operating circuits are therefore interrupted.

In order to indicate at station A, the condition of the apparatus at station B,- the storing magnets of certain of the coding units, of the codin device A are provided with circuits which are controlled by the traflic governing device. For example, two of the coding devices are controlled by the track relay R, and a slow releasing relay P. Relay P is provided with a circuit including front contact I18 of relay R, and is normally energized. When a train enters the track sectionrI8--I9, however, relay R opens, thereby de energizing relay P. Dueto the slow acting characteristics of the latter relay, an interval of time elapses after the opening of relay R and prior to the opening of the front contacts of'relay P. During this brief interval, current flows from terminal B over back contact I19 of relay of relay P, and

The device A is similar in all respects to the device A and terminal III is connected with one of the coding units which is effective to deliver a code to the line wires 66 and 66 in a manner already described in connection with device A In order to simplify the drawings, the detailed construction of the coding device A has been omitted from the drawings, but it will be understood that when battery terminal B is connected with one of the terminals 9 to I4 of device A the storing magnet of a corresponding one of the coding units of device A becomes energized and that the device A thereafter functions in a manner that will be readily understood from the description of device A During the brief interval that relay R is de-energized and relay P is closed, one of the coding units of device A is therefore set into operation and is effective to supply an indication code to the line wires 66 and 'sfieI'This indication code is repeated by each relay E,"and the relay E located at station A operates the selector S to close its contact for a brief interval. When this happens, current is supplied to the right-hand winding of relay U which is constructed in a manner similarto relay J The armature I90 of relay '0 is then swung to the right, completing a circuit for a lamp I9I which therefore becomes lighted to indicate at station A that the track section I8-I9 is occupied. When the train moves out of section I8--I9, relay R becomes energized, thereby closing the circuit for relay P. During the brief interval of time required for relay 1? to operate,

current flows from terminal B, over front contact I83 of relay R, wire I84,'back contact I89 of relay P, and wire I86 to terminal 9 of coding device A The storing magnet of a coding unit of device A is then set into operation to deliver an indication code to the line wires 66 and 66 which is repeated, by relay E to the selectors located at station A. The selector S isresponsive to this particular indication code to close its contact for a brief interval of time during which a circuit is completed for the left-hand winding of relay U. The armature I90 of relay U is then swung to the leftto complete a circuit for lamp I92 which becomes lighted to indicate that section I8I9 is unoccupied. In similar manner,

terminals associated with other coding units of device A are at times connected with terminal B in accordance with the positions of the trackway signals T. For example, when signal T is cleared, the contact I8'I-I89 of circuit controller k is'closed for a brief interval of time just before the signal reaches its proceed position. The closing 'of this'contact connects terminal B with terminal II of device A whereupon an indication code is delivered to the line wires 66 and 66 which operates selector S During the brief interval that the contact of selector S is closed, current is supplied to the left-hand Winding of relay V, thereby reversing the armature I93 of this relayand completing a circuit for lamp I95, to indicate that signal T has moved to its proceed position. In similar manner, when signal T returns to the stop position, the closing of contact I8'I-I88 of circuit controller k operated by signal T connects terminal B with terminal I2 of device A As a result, an indication code is delivered by the device A which operates selector S at station A and right-hand winding of relay V. Armature I93 is then swung to the right to complete a circuit for lamp I94, thus indicating that signal T has returned toits stop position. In similar manner,v

the movement of either signal T or T to its proceed position, connects terminal B with terminal I3 and causes device A to deliver a code which energizes selector S at station A. Furthermore, the return of signal T or T to its stop position, actuates the coding device A to deliver an indication code which operates selector S at station A. When selector S at station A is actuated, current is supplied to the left-hand winding of relay W and lamp I98 is lighted. When selector S is actuated, current is supplied to the right-hand winding of relay W, and the polar armature I96 is then swung to the right so that lamp I9! is lighted.

It should, of course, be understood that the storing magnets for a number of the coding units of any of the coding devices A may be energized When any one of the storing magnets for a device A is energized, the device is set into operation and after the completion of the operation of the associated check unit, the coding units which have their storing magnets energized, deliver their codes to the'line wires in a predetermined order. It may happen, however, that during the delivery of codes to the line wires by the device A at one station, the storing magnets at a number of other stations become energized, so that as soon as the last code is delivered to the line wires by the station which first had command of the line, all of the code repeater relays E for the other stations are returnedto their normal positions at substantially the same time. Each of the stations which have storing magnets energized, then commences its operation, and it is apparent that some provision must be made to prevent the stations from all commencing the delivery of their codes at the same instant. Of course, with only the apparatus thus far described, each station disconnects its code repeater relay E from the line wires at the instant the at the same time.

motor 'relay-becomes energized and immediately energizes the i prior to the deliveryof thev lockingimpulse to the line wires. In order to prevent the simultaneous operation of several stations, I prefer to provide the check unit G of each coding device A with a disk 28 provided with a single notch 28 as shown in the diagram in Fig. 4. In this diagram the disks 28 of the various stations A, B, C

and D, are all illustrated in the positions which they occupy when the corresponding code wheel is locked up and it will be seen that the notches 28 are in diiferent positions for the different stations. Fig. 4 also shows the relative positions of the cams 37, each of which is providedwith swells 3%, 31 at different positions around the periphery. From an examination of the drawings, it will be seen that if more stations than one are set into operation at the same time, the code wheels D of the several check units all commence their operation simultaneously. The contact 36 controlled by each disk 28 is connected in series with wire I I0 in the circuit for the polechanger relay H at the corresponding location. At the expiration of a brief interval of time, the contact 36 of one of the check units such as station A will be opened and immediately closed, as

the tooth 28 registers with the contact finger. It will be observed that the contact 38 controlled by the cam 37 of each of the check units G is arranged to be closed when the associated contact 36 is open. The operation of the check unit, therefore, first opens contact 36 to operate the pole-changer relay H to deliver a locking impulse to the line wires. At the same time, the closing of contact 38 energizes the motor relay m to disconnect the code repeater relay E from .the line wires to prevent the station from locking itself out. At the expiration of another briefinterval, a second station such for examp1e,as station B, operates its contacts 36 and 38, thereby disconnecting its code repeater relay E from the line and sending alocking impulse to the line wires. With this arrangement, it will be seen that the stations may be given preference in any desired order, the station which is preferred being arranged to send its locking impulse to the line wires first, and the remaining stations to successively send locking impulses to the line in the order of their preference. It should further be pointed out that except during the brief interval that contact 38 is closed, all of the code repeater relays E are connected with the line, so that when any locking impulse is delivered to the line, all of the remaining stations are locked up and are prevented from delivering their codes until the station which sent such locking impulse and thereby took command of the line, has. completed the delivery of all of the codes corresponding tothe storing magnets at that station which areenergized. In the diagram shown in Fig. 4;, :I have assumed that station A is given the first preference and that stations B, C and D are preferred in the order named. With this arrangementflt will be plain that if one of the stations illustrated in Fig. 1, such, for example, as station C, is delivering a code to the line wires all of the remaining stations A, B and D will be locked up. When station C has delivered its last code, the check units for stations A, B and D will all commence to operate at the same time if one or more storing magnets isenergized at each of the stations. But

the code wheel D of station A operates its contact 36 first, thereby delivering to the line a locking impulse which energizes the relays E E and E in the reverse direction. The motor relays located at stations B and D are therefore immediately de-energized and after the check units at these locations have completed their rotation, the apparatus will be held in the condition which it then occupies and none of the coding units at locations B and D can be set into operation to deliver their codes to the line wires. Station A, however, now has command of the line, and any of the coding units located at this station which have their storing magnets energized, proceed to deliver their codes to the line wires in order. When the last coding unit at station A which has its storing magnet de-energized, has delivered its code to the line, stations B and D, (and also station C, if a storing magnet at this station has become energized in the meantime) again set their check units into operation. The check unit at station A does not operate, however, because there are no storing magnets energized at this station. Under these conditions, the

first locking impulse that is delivered to the line comes from station B, and as a result all of the remaining stations are locked up, while station B takes command of the line and proceeds to deliver its codes. In similar manner, the remaining stations have their storing magnets energized take command of the line in succession, and complete the delivery of codes from these stations before the succeeding station in order can deliver its code.

delivery of the codes from one station a storing magnet is energized at a station preceding in preference the one which is delivering, this preceding station will step in ahead of all others,

and deliver its code, as soon as the last code is delivered by the station in command of the line,

It will be observed that after a storing magnet is once energized, latch holds this magnet in its energized position until its code has actually been delivered to the line wires. happens that two storing magnets in the same coding device A control related functions, as for example, the storing magnets of units G and G in device A located at station A. It might happen that the operator would close key K tov energize the storing magnet of unit G then operate key K to energize the storing magnet of unit G then again operate key K and again operate key K All of these operations may be performed while device A is locked up during,

the reception of codes from other stations.

Under these conditions, when the station A takescommand of the line, the code corresponding to the unit G willfirst be delivered to the line, although the unit G energized and hence should be the first one to deliver its code. I therefore provide a latch magnet -I99 connected in parallel with the storing magnet r of coding unit G and arranged when energized to lift the latch of the storing magnet 1" of coding unit G With this arrangement it will be apparent that if the storing magnet of unit G is latched up, and if the storing magnet of unit G then becomes energized, the energization of latch magnet I99 will trip the storing magnet ofunit G It follows that if unit G is the last one to have its storing magnet energized, the operation of the trip magnet I99 will trip the latch for storing magnet r of unit G so that when station A takes command of the,.

I have shown a latch magnet I99 associated It should be pointed out that if during the It sometimes was the last one which was only with the coding units G and G but it should be particularly pointed out that similar cross protection can be provided for the storing magnets or any two or more coding units. For example, a trip magnet could be placed on coding unit G and connected in parallel with the storing magnet of coding unit G so that when key K is operated to reverse the switch at station B, the storing magnet for unit G controlling movements of this switch to the normal position would be tripped if this storing magnet were energized.

In explaining my invention, I have described in detail a particular arrangement of tramc governing devices located at station B but it should be understood that this arrangement is not essential and that other groups of devices may be located at stations C, D, etc. and all controlled from the coding devices located at station A. In this case, of course, additional selectors would be connected in parallel with the selectors S to S at station A, and selectively responsive to the codes delivered from the coding devices A at the additional stations.

One advantage possessed by apparatus embodying my invention is that if the source of energy is at any time disconnected from the ap paratus, as by a broken lead, or by a blown fuse, the apparatus remains in the condition which it then occupies. When the supply of energy is re established the operation continues from the point where. it was interrupted without affecting the accuracy of the equipment in any manner. This is a result of the fact that all indications, after having once been received, are retained by mechanical latches so that a failure of the power supply can not cause a loss of an indication but can only postpone the delivery of such indication until the power is restored. Furthermore since all polarized relays utilized in my invention are of the. type which maintain their armatures in the positions to which they were last moved until they are positively moved to the opposite position, thefailure of the power supply can have no eiiect upon such relays.

Although I have herein shown and described only one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with a railway trafiic controlling device, a motor, a code wheel, a friction clutch coupling said wheel with the motor, a latch normally holding the wheel against operation by the motor, a storing magnet controlled in accordance with the condition of said device, a delivery magnet arranged when energized to release said latch, a circuit for the motor controlled in part by the storing magnet, a contact arranged to be closed only when said motor is actually operating, a circuit for said delivery magnet controlled by said contact and by said storing magnet, and code transmitting means controlled by said code wheel.

2. In combination with a railway traffic controlling device, a motor, acode wheel, a friction clutch coupling said wheel with the motor, a latch normally holding the wheel against operation by the motor, a storing'magnet controlled in accordance with the condition of said'device, a delivery magnet arranged when energized to release said latch, a circuit for the motor controlled in part by the storing magnet, a contact arranged to be closed only when said motor is actually operating, a trip relay controlled by the storing magnet and by said delivery magnet, a circuit for the delivery magnet controlled by the trip relay, and code transmitting means controlled by said code wheel.

3. In combination with a railway trail-1c controlling device, a motor, a code wheel, a friction clutch coupling said wheel with the motor, a latch normally holding the wheel against opstation by the motor, a storing magnet controlled in accordance with the condition of said device, a delivery magnet arranged when energized to release said latch, a motor relay controlled by said storing magnet, a circuit for said motor controlled by said motor relay, a contact closed only when said motor is actually operating, a trip relay controlled by said contact and by said motor relay, a circuit for said delivery magnet controlled by said trip relay, and code transmitting means controlled by said code wheel.

4. In combination with a plurality of groups of railway trafiic governing devices, a group of code wheels associated with each such group of devices, ,a motor for each group of code wheels, friction clutches for coupling each code wheel with the associated motor, latches normally locking each code wheel against operation, a pair of line wires, arepeater relay associated with each group of code wheels and normally connected with said line wire, a storing magnet for each code wheel responsive to the condition of a devicein the corresponding group, means effective when any storing magnet is energized to set the corresponding motor into operation if and only if the associated repeater relay occupies its normal position, means operating when any motor is operating to unlock in a predetermined succession the code wheels associated with such motor which have their storing magnets energized, and means effective when the code wheels of any group are operating to operate the repeater relays for the other groups away from their normal positions to prevent the unlocking of the code wheels of such other groups.

5. In combination in a coding device, a motor driven shaft, .a code wheel, a friction clutch for coupling the code wheel with the shaft, a first latch normally locking said wheel against operation by the shaft, a delivery magnet for at times releasing said latch, a storing magnet having an armature biased to one position, a second latch effective after energizati-on of said storing magnet to hold said armature in a second position until said first latch is released, manually controlled means for energizing said storing magnet, and a circuit for the delivery magnet controlled by said storing magnet.

6. In combination with a motor, a series of code wheels, friction clutches for coupling each wheel with said motor, a latch for each code wheel normally holding such wheel against operation by the motor, a plurality of storing magnets one for each code wheel, means for selectively energizing said storing magnets, a motor relay controlled by said storing magnets, a circuit for said motor controlled by the motor relay, a plurality of delivery magnets one associated with each code wheel and each arranged when energized to release the corresponding latch, means controlled by said motor relay and efiective when the motor is actually operating to energize in a predetermined succession the delivery magnets which have their associated storing magnets energized,

said code Wheels.

'7. In combination with selectively controlled by wheel normally holding the code wheel against rotation, a delivery magnet for controlling each latch, a series or" storing magnets one for each code wheel and selectively responsive to the condition of said devices, a circuit for each delivery magnet controlled by the associated storing magnet and by each preceding storing magnet in the series, and code transmitting means selectively controlled by said code wheels.

8. In combination, a plurality of trafiic governing devices, a series of code Wheels, a motor, friction clutches for coupling each code wheel with the motor, a latch for each code wheel normally holding the wheel against operation by the motor, a series of storing magnets one for each code wheel and each having a movable armature,

,means for selectively energizing said storing magnets in accordance with the condition of said traffic governing devices, a delivery magnet for each code wheel arranged when energized to release the associated latch, a circuit for each delivery magnet controlled by the armature of the associated storing magnet, means effective when any storing magnet is energized to hold its armature in its energized position until the associated code Wheel has been successively unlatched and latched, and code transmitting means selectively controlled by said code Wheels.

9. Railway trafiic controlling apparatus comprising a group of traffic governing devices, a plurality of code Wheels, a motor operatively connected with each code wheel through a friction clutch, means for normally looking all said wheels against operation by said motor, means responsive to the condition of said wheels for at times operating said motor, means for unlocking a selected one of said code wheels, and code transmitting means selectively controlled by said code wheels.

10. In combination with a pair of line wires at times supplied with different control codes, a motor relay, a repeater relay, means controlled by the motor relay for at times connecting the repeater relay with the line wires, a plurality of selectors separately responsive to said control codes, means controlled by said repeater relay for supplying said selectors with current in accordance with such control codes, circuits for said motor relay controlled by said selectors, means controlled by said motor relay for at times disconnecting said repeater relay from the line wires and for at such times supplying the line wires with different indication codes, and indication means receiving energy from the line Wires and selectively responsive to such indication codes.

11. In combination with a pair of line wires at times supplied with codes from one point along the wires, a plurality of normally ineffective coding units each comprising a storing magnet, means for selectively energizing said storing magnets, means for subsequently holding each storing magnet in its energized condition until the corresponding coding unit has delivered its code to said line wires, a motor relay, means operating when said motor relay is energized to render the coding units which have their storing magnets energized eliective successively to deliver their codes to the line .Wires at a second point along the line wires, a repeater relay, means effective when the motor relay is de-energized to connect the repeater relay with the line wires, a slow releasing relay arranged to be held in its energized position when the repeater relay is receiving codes from such one point, and a circuit for said motor relay including a back contact of said slow releasing relay and controlled by said storing magnets. V

12. In combination with a pair of line wires, a motor relay, a motor controlled by said motor relay, a series of code wheels, friction clutches coupling said code'wheels with the motor, a latch for each code Wheel normally holding the code wheel more of said storing magnets is energized, means effective when said motor relay is energized to successively unlock the code Wheels which have their storing magnets energized, and code transmitting means eifective when the motor relay to supply difierent codes to said line wires depending upon which code wheel is being operated. V

13. In combination With a plurality of groups of railway trailic controlling devices, a plurality of groups of coding units one for each group of devices, a pair of line Wires, means responsive to a change in the condition of each device to actuate a selected coding unit in the associated group to deliver a distinctive code to the line wires, indication means receiving energy from the line wires and selectively responsive to said codes, means efiective when any one of said coding units is set into operation to deliver a locking impulse to the line wires, the locking impulses originating at difierent groups of coding units occurring in a predetermined order, and means associated with each group of coding units and responsive to such locking impulses to render the associated coding units ineffective to supply codes to the line Wires.

14. In combination with a railway trafilc governing device capable of assuming two positions, means controlled from a distant point for moving the device to a selected one of such positwo coding units each comprising a storing magnet, means for briefly energizing said storing magnets when the traffic governing device is moved to itstwo. positions respectively, a latch for each storing magnet for subsequently holding the corresponding magnet in its energized condition, a latch magnet connected in parallel with one storing magnet for releasing the latch of the other storing magnet, means for at times delivering a code to the line Wires from each coding unit having its storing magnet in its energized condition, and indication means controlled by said codes.

15. In combination with a pair of line wires, a series of code wheels, a motor, friction clutches for coupling each code Wheel with the motor, a latch for each code Wheel normally locking such wheel against operation by the motor, a storing magnet for each code wheel, means for selectively energizing said storing magnets, a latch for each storing magnet for holding the armature of the magnet in its attracted position, a latch magnet for at least one ofsaid storing magnet latches when another of said storing magnets becomes energized, means set into operation when any one of said storing magnets becomes energized to unlock successively in a predetermined order the code wheels which have their associated storing magnets energized,

means controlled by said code wheels for delivering distinctive codes to the line wires, and indication means receiving energy from the line wires and selectively responsive to said codes.

16. In combination with a pair of line wires a plurality of polarized repeater relays all normally connected with said line wires and all normally energized in one direction, a group of code wheels associated with each repeater relay and effective when operated to deliver different codes to said line wires, a plurality of storing magnets one for each code wheel, means for selectively energizing said storing magnets, meansfor each group effective when the associated repeater relay is energized in such one direction to set into operation in a predetermined order the code wheels in such group which have their storing magnets energized, a check unit for each group set into operation when the associated repeater relay is energized in such one direction and a storing magnet in the corresponding group is energized; said check units operating before the code wheels for the corresponding groups and efiective successively to disconnect the associated repeater relay from the line wires for a brief time interval and to impress upon the line 0 magnet for each latch arranged wires during such interval an energy impulse which energizes the remaining repeater relays in the reverse direction.

1'1. In combination with a motor, a series of code wheels, friction clutches coupling each code wheel with the motor, a series of latches one for each code wheel normally holding such code wheel against operation by the motor, a delivery when energized to release the associated latch and provided with front and back. contacts, a storing magnet for each code wheel provided with front and back contacts, means for selectively energizing said storing magnets, means for holding each storing magnet in its energized condition until the corresponding code wheel latch is successively released and locked, a motor relay for controlling the motor and arranged to be energized when any storing magnet is energized, a trip relay, a circuit for the trip relay including a front contactof the motor relay and a back contact of each delivery magnet; a pick-up circuit for each delivery magnet including a front contact of the trip relay, a front contact of the associated storing relay, and a back contact of each preceding storing magnet in the series; and a stick circuit for each delivery magnet including its own front contact, and a back contact of each preceding delivery magnet in the series.

18. In combination with a movable device, a motor, a code wheel, a friction clutch coupling said wheel with the motor, a latch normally holding said wheel against operation by said motor, a storing magnet controlled in accordance with the condition of said device, a delivery magnet arranged when energized to release said latch, a circuit for said motor controlled in part by said storing magnet, a circuit for said delivery magnet controlled by said storing magnet, and code transmitting means controlled by said code wheel.

19. In combination with a movable device, a motor, a code wheel, a friction clutch coupling said wheel with the motor, a latch normally holding said wheel against operation by said motor,

storing magnet when said 1 relays controlled by said reset relay,

a storing magnet, means responsive to the condition of said device for at times briefly energizing said storing magnet, means for subsequently holding said storing magnet in its energized position until said wheel has been operated, a delivery magnet controlled by said storing magnet for releasing said latch, and code transmitting means controlled by said code wheel.

20. In combination with a movable device capable of assuming two positions, a pair of line wires, two storing magnets, means for actuating one storing magnet when said device is moved to one position, means for actuating the other device is moved to another position, means operating when one storing magnet is actuated for releasing the other storing magnet, and means controlled by each storing magnet and efiective ated for delivering a wires.

21. In combination with a railway switch, five manually controlled selectors, means controlled by a first selector for moving said switch to a normal position, means controlled by a second selector for moving said switch a first control relay, a second control relay, pickup circuits for said first and second control relays controlled by a third selector and a fourth selector respectively, a reset relay controlled by the fifth selector, stick circuits for said control a first signal governing traific in one direction over said switch and controlled by said first control relay and by said switch, and a second signal governing trafii c in the opposite direction over said switch and controlled by said second control relay and by said switch.

'22. A code transmitter comprising a plurality of code wheels, a motor operatively connected with each code wheel through a friction clutch, latching means for normally looking all said wheels against operation by said motor, means responsive to the condition of said latching means for at times operating said motor, means for unlocking a selected one of said code wheels, and code transmitting means selectively controlled by said code wheels.

23. In combination with a plurality of groups of railway traflic controlling devices, a plurality of groups of coding units one for each group of devices, a pair of line wires, means responsive to a change in the condition of each device to actuate a selected coding unit in the associated group, means effective when any coding unit is actuated to deliver a distinctive code to the line wires, indication means receiving energy from the line wires and selectively responsive to said codes, locking means operating when a code is being supplied to the line wires from a coding unit of one group to prevent operation of a coding unit in any other group, means effective. upon the actuation of a coding unit and the release of said locking means to deliver to the line wires a locking impulse, the locking impulses from the several groups of coding units occurring in a predetermined order, and means associated with each group of coding units and responsive to a locking impulse from another group to prevent operation of any coding unit in such associated group.

24. In combination with a plurality of groups of movable devices, a plurality of groups of storing mechanisms one for each groupof devices, a line circuit, means responsive to a change in the condition of each device distinctive code to said line when such magnet is actuto a reverse position,

to actuate a selected tact is operated, coding storing mechanism in the associated group, means controlled by each said storing mechanism for at times delivering a distinctive code to said line circuitwhen such storing mechanism is actuated, a check unit associated with each group of storing mechanisms and set into operation when any storing mechanism of the associated group is actuated and the line circuit is clear, means controlled by each check unit for delivering to the line circuit a locking impulse, such locking impulses from different check units operated simultaneously occurring in a definite order, and means associated with each group of storing mechanisms and responsive to a locking impulse from another group to prevent the delivery of a code under the control of any storing mechanism in the associated group.

25. In a remote control system, a motor, a code transmitter comprising a code wheel driven by said motor and a starting circuit for rendering said code wheel efiective to transmit a code, and means responsive to the speed of said motor for controlling said starting circuit.

26. In a remote control system comprising a line circuit, a code transmitter, a motor for driving said transmitter, a contact responsive to the speed of said motor, and means controlled by said contact for delivering codes from said transmitter to said line circuit.

27. In a remote control system of the code type, transmitting apparatus comprising a storage contact, means for selectively controlling said storage contact, a coding contact, a motor relay controlled by said storage contact, means controlled by said motor relay for periodically operating said coding contact, an additional relay controlled by said coding contact, and means controlled by said additional relay for transmitting a code.

28. In a remote control system of the code type, transmitting apparatus comprising a' storage contact, means for selectively controlling said storage contact, a coding contact, a motor relay controlled by said storage contact, means controlled by said motor relay for periodically operating said coding contact, an additional relay controlled by said coding contact and by said motor relay, and means controlled by said additional relay for transmitting a code. I

29. In a remote control system of the code type, transmitting apparatus comprising a storagecontact, means for selectively controlling said storage contact, a coding contact, a motor relay controlled by said storage contact, means controlled by said motor relay for periodically operating said coding contact, an additional relay controlled by said coding contact and by said storage contact, and means controlled by said additional relay for transmitting a code.

30. In a remote control system of the code type, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of storage contacts, means for selectively operating said storage contacts, a motor relay arranged to be energized when any storage conmeans, means eifective when said motor relay is energized to operate said coding means, an additional relay, means operating when said motor relay is energized to control said additional relay by said coding means selectively in accordance with the storage contact then operated, and means controlled by said additional relay for transmitting a code.

31. In a remote control system of the code type, transmitting apparatus comprising a plurality of storage contacts, means for selectively operating said storage contacts, a motor relay arranged to be energized When any storage contact is operated, a plurality of coding contacts controlled by said motor relay, an additional relay, means for controlling said additional relay by a selected one of said coding contacts depending upon the storage contact then operated, and means controlled by said additional relay for transmitting a code.

32. In a remote control said motor relay is energized to deliver a code to said '33. In a centralized trafiiccontrolling system 34. In a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads, a line circuit a a repeater relay,

times means operating when a sending magnet is energized to transmita distinctive code.

37. A code transmitter comprising a series of starting magnets, means for operating said starting magnets independently, a series of sending magnets one for each said starting magnet, means for energizing any sending magnet when the corresponding starting magnet is operated provided no preceding starting magnet in said series is operated,.a holding circuit for each sending magnet including in series its ownfront contact and a series of sending.

the back contact of each preceding sending magnet in the series, and means operating when a sending magnet is energized to transmit a distinctive code.

38. In combination with a line circuit, a transmiter relay for controlling said line circuit, a series of starting magnets, means for operating said starting magnets independently, a series of sending magnets one for each said starting magnet, means for energizing any sending magnet when the corresponding starting magnet is operated provided no preceding starting magnet in said series is operated, a holding circuit for each sending magnet including in series its own front contact and the back contact of each preceding sending magnet in the series, and means effective when a sending magnet is energized to control said transmitter relay in accordance with a distinctive code.

39. A code transmitter comprising a plurality of independently operable circuit controllers, a series of starting magnets one for each circuit controller, an operating circuit for each starting magnet controlled by the associated circuit controller, a series of sending magnets one for each starting magnet, means for energizing any sending magnet when the corresponding starting magnet is operated provided no preceding starting magnet in the series is operated, a holding circuit for each sending magnet including in series its own front contact and a back contact of each preceding sending magnet in the series, and means effective when any sending magnet is energized to transmit a distinctive code.

40. A code transmitter comprising a series of starting magnets, means for operating said starting magnets independently, a series of sending magnets one for each starting magnet, means for operating any sending magnet when the corresponding starting magnet is operated provided no preceding starting magnet in the series is operated, means actuated by the operation of any sending magnet to initiate the transmission of a distinctive code, and means effective when a sending magnet is operated to maintain such sending magnet in its operated condition until the completion of the corresponding code.

41. In a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads, a plurality of traffic governing devices controlled from a remote point over a line circuit, a series of starting magnets, means controlled by said governing devices and by traffic conditions adjacent such devices for selectively operating said starting magnets, a series of sending magnets one for each said starting magnet, means for actuating each sending magnet when the correspondingv starting magnet is operated provided only said line circuit is clear, means effective when any sending magnet is actuated to transmit a distinctive code to said line circuit, means for restoring each starting magnet to its original condition at the completion of the corresponding code, and means at said remote point selectively responsive to codes transmitted over said line circuit.

42. In a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads comprising an office and a station connected by line wires, a series of keys at said office, a series of starting magnets one for each said key, means for actuating each starting magnet when the corresponding key is operated momentarily, means for subsequently maintaining each actuated starting magnet in its actuated condition, means controlled by each starting magnet when actuated for transmitting a distinctive code to said station over said line wires, said last named means being arranged in such manner that the codes corresponding to a plurality of starting magnets actuated at the same time are transmitted in order, and means for restoring each starting magnet to its original condition when the corresponding code has been transmitted.

43. In combination, a series of relay devices, means for operating said devices independently, means effective when a plurality of said devices are operated for transmitting signal elements under the control of the energized devices, means controlled by the transmission of said elements for restoring all operated devices to their original conditions, and means for at least one of said devices for restoring such device to its original condition when a particular one of the remaining devices is operated.

44. A code transmitter comprising a series of starting devices, means for operating said, starting devices independently, means effective when a plurality of said starting devices are operated for transmitting in a predetermined order an individual code for each operated starting device, means for restoring each operated starting device to its original condition at the completion of the corresponding code, and means for at least one of said starting devices for restoring such device to its original condition immediately upon the operation of a particular one of the remaining devices.

45. Multiple code transmitting apparatus comprising a series of code wheels each capable of transmitting a single complete code for each complete revolution of the code wheel, driving means operatively connected with each code wheel through a friction clutch, latching means for normally looking all said wheels against operation by said driving means, a manually operable key for each code wheel, and means independently responsive to a momentary operation of any said key to release the latching means of the corresponding code wheel to permit such wheel to make a single complete revolution, whereby any code may be transmitted repeatedly or a plurality of codes may be transmitted in order.

46. A code transmitter comprising a code wheel, a motor for driving said code wheel, a delivery magnet operable to render said code wheel effective to transmit code elements, and means responsive to the speed of said motor for controlling said magnet.

4'7. A code transmitter comprising a plurality of code wheels, a motor connected with said code wheels through friction clutches, a plurality of magnets, means for selectively energizing said magnets to permit operation of only one of said code wheels at a time, and means responsive to the speed of said motor for at times preventing energization of all of said magnets.

48. A code transmitter comprising a motor, a plurality of code wheels coupled with said motor through friction drive mechanism and each provided with a latch to normally prevent operation of the associated wheel, a delivery magnet for each code wheel for releasing the corresponding latch, a trip relay controlling all said delivery magnets, and means responsive to the speed of said motor for controlling said trip relay.

49. A centralized traffic controlling system for railroads comprising an oifice and a station connected by a line circuit, transmitting means at the oflice for delivering distinctive codes to said line circuit, a railway switch at the station, a relay at the station capable of assuming two positions, means selectively responsive to a par-' ticular one of said codes to momentarily operate said relay to one position, means selectively responsive to another particular one of said codes to, momentarily operate said relay to its other position, operating circuits for said switch controlled by said relay and effective when closed to move said switch to a position corresponding to the position of said relay, means controlled by the switch for opening said circuits when the switch and the relay occupy corresponding positions, and means local to the station for retaining the relay in either position until operated to the other position by a subsequent code, whereby the effects of said particular codes are stored at said station and are continuously effective to restore the switch to its last operated position in the event it becomes displaced while permitting the line circuit to be used for other codes.

50. A centralized trafiic controlling system for railroads comprising an ofiice and a station connected by a line circuit, transmitting means at the office for delivering distinctive codes to said line circuit, a railway switch at the station, a power-operated switch machine for operating the switch, a two position switch relay located at the station and arranged to remain in the position to which it was last operated after the relay is deenergized, means selectively responsive to a particular one of said codes to momentarily operate said relay to one position, means selectively responsive to another particular one of said codes to momentarily operate said relay to its other position, energizing circuits for said switch machine controlled by said relay for moving said switch to a position corresponding with the position of said relay, and means controlled by'the switch for deenergizing said operating circuits effective only when the switch and the relay occupy corresponding positions, whereby said relay although deenergized after the termination of either of said particular codes, maintains the 1. effect of such code until the other particular code is received and is continuously effective to restore the switch to its last-operated position in the event the switch becomes displaced.

51. In a remote control system, a motor, a

code transmitter comprising. a code wheel driven by said motor, a speed responsive device driven by said motor, a starting circuit for starting said motor to render said code wheel efiective to transmit a code, and means controlled by said speed responsive device for preventing said code wheel from transmitting a code until the speed of the motorhas reached a predetermined value.

52.. In a remote control system, a line circuit, a code transmitter, a motor for driving said transmitter, a speed responsive contact controlled by the motor and closed only when the motor speed exceeds a predetermined value, a delivery magnet effective when operated to cause said code transmitter to deliver a code to said line circuit, and

an energizing circuit for said delivery magnet controlled by said speed responsive contact.

53. In combination, a series of relay devices,

means for operating said devices independently,

means being eiTective when a plurality of said devices are operated at substantially the same time for transmitting the signal elements characteristic of the operated devices one at a time in order, means efiective as soon as each signal element is transmitted to restore the corresponding device to its original condition, releasing means associated with at least one of said devices operable to restore such device to its original condition prior to the transmission of a signal element by such device, and means operating said releasing means whenever a particular one of the remaining devices is operated.

54. A code transmitter comprising a series of starting devices, means for operating said starting devices independently, means efiective when any starting device is operated to transmit an individual code identifying such device, said means being effective when a plurality of said starting devices are operated at substantially the same time to transmit the individual codes for the operated starting devices in a predetermined order, means for restoring each operated starting device to its original condition at the completion of the corresponding code, releasing means associated with at least one of said starting devices operable to restore such device to its original condition prior to the transmission of the code identifying such device, and means operating said releasing means whenever a particular one of the remaining devices is operated.

55. In a remote control system, a plurality of locations including a control ofiice and a field station, a single line circuit connecting said oifice with said station, means at said oflice for energizing said line circuit, means at said station for energizing said line circuit, means for intermittently interrupting said line circuit when energized at said ofiice or at said station whereby series of impulses are impressed thereon, and means in part at said oifice and in part at said station for permitting the energization of said line circuit from only one of said locations during the impression of a series of impulses thereon.

56. In a centralized traffic controlling system for railroads, a plurality of stations connected by a line circuit, means at each station for irnpressing a series of distinctive impulses on said line circuit, means at each station determining the character of the first impulse of a series transmitted from that station, storing means at each station registering the character of the first impulse of each series of impulses impressed on. said line circuit, and means controlled by said storing means for determining the direction of.

transmission over said line circuit.

' CLARENCE S. SNAVELY. 

